Scott McTominay scored twice as Napoli edged Bodo/Glimt 4-3 in a topsy-turvy Champions League clash at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Tuesday night, earning the Italian side their first win of the European campaign, FotMob reports.
Matteo Politano struck in the opening minute from a Leonardo Spinazzola assist, but Jens Petter Hauge levelled in the 27th minute against the run of play. McTominay combined with Kevin De Bruyne to restore Napoli's lead just before half-time, according to Flashscore, before Andreas Helmersen made it 2-2 in the 62nd minute. McTominay then rose highest to head home Politano's cross in the 75th minute, and an Odin Bjortuft own goal in the 88th minute stretched the margin — before Sondre Fet's stoppage-time header set up a nervy finish.
The brace was a deeply personal triumph for the Scotland midfielder: SoccerSport.club reports these were his first goals since undergoing heart surgery in September to correct irregular heart rhythms, with McTominay having only returned to action earlier this month. His two goals eased the pressure on head coach Max Allegri.
Napoli had lost their opening two Champions League fixtures to Arsenal and Villarreal and three of their first seven Serie A games, so this result — which leaves both sides on three points from three matches — could prove a turning point, according to Flashscore.
The win was richly deserved on the balance of play, even if the scoreline flattered the visitors late on. Sondre Fet was rated the game's best player at 9.18 after setting up Bodo/Glimt's first two goals and scoring their third, according to Oddsivio, while the Norwegians enjoyed 57 percent of the possession yet still finished empty-handed. Napoli now host Roma in Serie A on Saturday, the same day Bodo/Glimt entertain Valerenga in the Eliteserien — and Allegri will hope this thriller marks the turning point of his season.